Spurs Hire Becky Hammon

Wait... Is The NBA Ready For This?

After carving out a spectacular basketball resume around the globe, WNBA and international basketball star Becky Hammon further cemented her history in the game as it was announced today that the sharp-shooting guard will join the world champion San Antonio Spurs’ staff as an assistant coach. With the hire, Hammon became the first paid (Lisa Boyer was an unpaid Cleveland Cavaliers assistant in the 2001-2002 season) female assistant in NBA history.

It was not a secret that the seven-time WNBA All-Star intended to coach after her career was finished. Her new boss, Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich learned of her aspirations and invited her to his team’s practices during the 2013-2014 season. Coach Pop was very impressed by her basketball smarts and willingness to mix it up. He also saw no reason she couldn’t coach in the NBA. ''I don't see why not. There shouldn't be any limitations,'' Popovich told the Los Angeles Times. ''It's about talent and the ability to do things. It's not about what your sex is or your race or anything else.''

While most NBA teams and players crave attention — see the Kevin Love trade rumors or LeBron’s return to Cleveland for proof — the Spurs announced Hammon’s hire, just as they have the rest of their other big personnel decisions this summer, with a press release.

The ascension of Becky Hammon on the day of David Stern's Hall of Fame announcement is perfect. A bit of SEATTLE returns to the NBA.

After failing to be drafted out of Colorado State as an All-American player, the New York Liberty picked up the 5’6” point guard via free agency. Despite humble hoops beginnings Hammon — who currently plays for the San Antonio Stars — has gone on to assemble a stellar career spanning 16 seasons. She’s currently seventh in points, fourth in assists and sixth in games played in WNBA history. Becky was also named as a top 15 player in WNBA history by the league.

Searching Becky Hammon's name on twitter has yielded overwhelmingly positive results, which is awesome.

Considering that men with far less of a resume than Hammon have coached collegiate and professional women’s basketball teams for years, this is a welcome change. Let’s hope Hammon’s hire leads to the further dismantling of the good old’ boys club that’s dominated the coaching ranks for far too long.